Creativity is a skill that you can work on with time, training, and effort. There are many areas you can focus on to improve your overall creativity. Engage in creative exercises like reading, writing, and listening to music to sharpen your creativity. Learn as much as possible and open yourself up to new ideas and experiences. Make lifestyle changes like walking more, exercising regularly, and getting more sleep to give your brain the boost it needs to increase your creative skills.

Steps

Method1

Challenging Yourself with Creative Exercises

1

Do the 30 circle test. You can do this test during dull moments at work. It helps you push yourself to think quickly and creatively. To start, draw 30 circles. From there, make as many circles into drawings as possible in one minute. You can do the test over and over again, trying to break your record each time.[1]

The 30 Circle Test helps boost creativity because it forces you to embrace multiple ideas. Many people have a tendency to self-edit and pause to wonder if something is a good idea. The 30 Circle Test forces you to think fast, forcing you to experiment with ideas without rejecting them.

2

Doodle in your spare time. Doodling is sometimes thought of as a childish pastime, but it can actually help increase productivity. This can increase creativity by increasing your engagement with the world and attention span. Doodling helps you stay engaged during activities where you would otherwise zone out. The more information you're able to absorb, the more creative you will be.[2]

Doodle during activities where you feel your mind wandering. For example, if you find yourself drifting out of focus during a meeting at work, do some doodling. You can also doodle in school during boring lectures.

Try keeping a sketchbook where you doodle when you start to feel bored or disengaged.

3

Write flash fiction. Flash fiction means very short stories, often no more than 100 words. Writing a flash fiction story will help you become more creative as you'll be forced to tell a fleshed out story with a beginning, middle, and end using only a small number of words. This will help you learn how to convey necessary information in a limited space.[3]

There are many flash fiction writing communities online. Try getting involved with a flash fiction writing community and responding to prompts and participating in contests.

4

Listen to music. Simply playing music in the background can inspire you creatively. It can help you focus better and increase your overall concentration. Classical music tends to work particularly well for creativity and concentration.[4]

Not every genre of music works for everyone. While classical music has beneficial effects for many, experiment a little to find the music that bests helps you concentrate and feel creative.

5

Make something with your hands. Using your hands to create means you get information from all of your senses. This can help encourage more creative thinking. If you want to feel more creative, try activities in which you create using your hands. For example, try something like knitting, sewing, or other crafts to bolster your creativity.[5]

6

Play video games. Some video games are actually good for the creative mind. Interactive games that require movement as these stimulate multiple senses help with creative thinking. Things like Wii Tennis or Dance Dance Revolution would work well. Avoid games that require you to sit for long periods.[6]

7

Read more. Reading is great for your creative mind. Make a habit of reading regularly. Pick books from multiple genres and styles of writing to expand your horizons and really bolster your creativity. Try to make time to read every day.[7]

Try joining a book club. This will help direct your reading if you're unsure what kinds of books to start with.

Get a library card. This will help you save some money on books.

Score0 / 0

Method 1 Quiz

How can you expand your creativity?

Try knitting or sewing.

This is a good start! Knitting, sewing, or making something else with your hands can involve more of your senses in the creative process and boost your creativity overall, but it's not the only way. Take a look at the list, and see what else you can find. Try another answer...

Join a book club.

This is a great start, but are you sure that it is the only way you can boost your creativity? Joining a book club can encourage you to read more, and reading can expand your creativity. Take a look at the list again, though, and see what else you can find. Choose another answer!

Doodle during class lectures or work meetings.

This is a good start. If your mind usually wanders during these activities, doodling can help you stay engaged and absorb more information, increasing your creativity as a result. Take a look at the list again, and see what else you can find, though. Guess again!

All of the above.

Yes, that is correct! All of these activities are possible options. Keep in mind that these are only starting points, and that there are many other ways you might be able to increase your creativity. Read on for another quiz question.

Method2

Broadening Your Knowledge

1

Develop your expertise. Part of being creative is gaining expertise in one area or medium and learning as much as you can about it. Begin by reading articles and watching videos on the subject to gather more information about it. If possible, sign up for an introductory course at a local college or community centre (e.g. a beginner painting class).[8]

Inspire yourself by experiencing the creative works of others in a medium that interests you. For instance, if you are learning how to paint, visit a museum or art gallery.

2

Be open to new experiences. The most creative people are willing to engage with multiple ideas, broaden their horizons, and be surprised. Avoid resisting and dismissing things that are unfamiliar to you, and accept opportunities to try new creative endeavors. For instance, attempt a medium like clay sculpting even if you believe that you will dislike it or be bad at it.[9]

3

Use play to foster creativity. Being more childlike can help your creative side by freeing you from adult hang ups for a while and opening your mind. Use toys and art supplies to stimulate your imagination and make new connections. If you're short on creative ideas, take the time to draw a whimsical picture or play with building blocks or legos.[10]

4

Share and explain your knowledge. They say that you remember 90% of what you learned by teaching it to someone else. Explaining your newfound knowledge to yourself and others can help to cement it in your own mind. While you are learning something new, make a point of explaining it to yourself in your head. Picture yourself giving a TED talk or tutoring someone on the topic. [11]

If you feel particularly confident, make a video about the topic to post online, or explain your knowledge to a friend or colleague.

5

Prompt yourself to think of new ideas. Engage in activities that actively force you to think of new ideas. For instance, play word association games by writing down one word and then any words that connect to it. Use analogy to find similarities between two seemingly dissimilar things to break down and examine your associations with each.[12]

For instance, look for similarities between a textbook and an iPod.

If you feel stuck, try some word association games or search for synonyms online.

6

Set aside time for brainstorming. Creativity takes practice, so set aside time each day to retreat to a quiet or inspiring place to generate new ideas. For instance, visit a quiet park or sit in a library and let your mind flow freely. Write all of your ideas (good or bad) in a notebook, on a whiteboard, or on your computer without stopping to edit or rethink them.[13]

Find a time that will work for you regularly. If you always have time after dinner, for example, take an hour after dinnertime to turn off distractions and engage with new ideas.

Score0 / 0

Method 2 Quiz

True or False: It's okay to question your ideas.

True. You should question your ideas enough to open yourself to others.

This is correct! Allow for the possibility that your original idea might not be best. By exploring other ideas, you might find something better or improve your original one. Read on for another quiz question.

False. Questioning your ideas will make you doubt yourself and hurt your creativity.

This is incorrect! Questioning your ideas can challenge you to explore others, allowing you to expand your mind. You don't have to doubt yourself or your original idea; simply give the new idea your honest attention. Guess again!

Method3

Changing Your Lifestyle

1

Socialize with different people. To give your creativity a jump-start, socialize as much as you can, particularly with people who are different from you. Spending time with people whose life experience and world view is unlike yours can expand your mind and offer fresh perspective on everyday things. To meet new people, attend events or do activities that are outside of your normal routine and engage in conversation whenever possible.[14]

For instance, if the art world is new to you, visit a gallery or museum and strike up a conversation with an artist or patron. Break the ice by saying something like, "I'm new to the art world. Is this a passion of yours?"

Try varying your established routes to increase the chances you’ll meet new people.

1

Walk when possible. Walking can provide you time to think over ideas by allowing you to zone out and engage with creative thoughts. Walking will also allow you to engage with new surrounding or nature, both of which may inspire your creativity. Make a point of walking several times a week for at least fifteen minutes, or everyday if possible.[15]

2

Exercise. Exercising regularly can boost creativity by reducing stress and improving cognitive function. Create an exercise regimen for yourself to follow, aiming for about 30 minutes of exercise a day. Choose light cardio exercise like walking, jogging, or bicycling.[16]

3

Get enough sleep. Sleep can help your mind stay rested and refreshed, leaving you creatively recharged. The brain is also very active during sleep, so "sleeping on a problem" may allow your mind to re-evaluate connections and formulate new ideas about an issue.[17]Strive to get a solid 8 to 9 hours sleep each night, and stay on a sleep schedule.[18]

Score0 / 0

Method 3 Quiz

Which of the following is true about becoming more creative?

Creativity never happens on a schedule.

Not quite! Inspiration can strike at any moment, but it's a good idea to set a regular time each day for you to brainstorm or engage with your creative endeavors. There’s a better option out there!

Sleep deprivation unlocks new ideas, so go ahead and stay awake!

No way! Your mind can only be at its best when it's rested. You'll feel more creative if you get 8 to 9 hours of sleep than if you cut your sleep schedule short. Try another answer...

Walking gives you time to engage your creativity.

This is true! Walking gives you the chance to zone out and engage more fully with your creative thoughts. Plus, any regular exercise can help boost your mental activity. Read on for another quiz question.

Spending time around others will distract you from your creative pursuits.

One idea for you would be to bracket time for schoolwork, and then get really creative with the time you have left. What can you eliminate from your daily schedule to devote to writing? Make a writing schedule for the week, and stick to it. Best of luck!

Everybody is creative in their own way. Some people see creativity only in painting etc, but reality is that creativity is everywhere in your life. You must have seen creativity in videos, clothes you buy, songs etc. So if you have designed a greeting card for someone then you are creative. if you helped your family to redesign your home, then you are creative. if you have customized your mobile or laptop with that "cool looks," then you are creative. Creativity is a simple way to express your own unique self, so don't let your teacher get you down.

I love drawing, but I just don't know what to draw. How can I become more creative?

wikiHow Contributor

I've found that carrying around a sketchbook (any size), and a few pencils/pens to sketch things that you encounter throughout your day helps. Another good way to become more creative is to join online communities filled with artists, such as Deviantart.com, and Tumblr. Follow artists that inspire you or that you admire. If you read comics or watch cartoons, a great way to become more creative is to get in the habit of "studying" the drawings and animations themselves. Observe the expressions, movement, outfits, textures, and even where shadows lie on a particular item. Watch Speed-Paints on YouTube, there are many wonderful artists there.

How can I discover talent when I find myself in an environment I don't like?

wikiHow Contributor

Trying new interests can help take your mind from your environment, as you're immersed in learning, experimenting, and creating. Try painting, a new musical instrument, writing (this could help cope with your own struggles), poetry, etc. Once you've found something you're passionate about, branch out into the community for others who share that passion by way of clubs, organizations, galleries, rallies, and the like. Sites such as Meetup.com list local groups and activities, and might also be a good place to find something new to distract yourself from an unpleasant environment.

How do I increase my innovative thinking? Are there some mind exercises for this?

wikiHow Contributor

Go outside and get inspiration from there before all else. If that fails, try reading another book to get ideas to be inspired by. Always keep a notepad with you to see if an idea jolts in your brain. As for exercises, you can do brainstorming, using beginning sentences suggested by others or just answering tough questions that lead to interesting stories, artwork or solutions.

"Extremely helpful. I completely need this kind of article to reduce so many things which are bothering me in my head. Now my mind feels more open than before I found and read this page. Big thanks. :)"..." more

Rated this article:

MC

M. C. Cooks

Nov 7, 2016

"I like the way you present your articles info with pics and text. I am so satisfied by your work, I always search on wikiHow. I really like this site."..." more

LW

Lauren Wong

Oct 13

"I'm looking for ideas on how to be more creative, and this article has given me some great ideas on how to expand my thoughts and be more creative."..." more

Rated this article:

AP

Angele Pocock

Nov 4, 2016

"'Thinking of the most nonsensical things you can come up with' is a really good way to get your creative juices flowing again."..." more

A

Anonymous

Dec 1

"Obviously one of the best wikiHow articles I've read over my lifetime (since 4 years). Thank you. I am sharing this too."..." more

Mohit Pahuja

Jul 26

"This article has broadened my knowledge of how to be successful in life and how to be creative."

SK

Shweta K.

Dec 30, 2016

"It's very specific, and minutely elaborated upon. Opened up vistas of ideas. Thanks!"

LC

Luci Cyrus

Oct 18

"I just found, in short, that to be creative you have to be active. I like it!"

A

Anonymous

Aug 8, 2016

"Everything helped. It's just nice to have a place to start and refer back to."

SK

Sarah Khan

Jul 9

"There were very good ideas to be creative and I learned many things from it!"

Rated this article:

A

Anonymous

Nov 30, 2016

"Learned not to go with trends, do it yourself. It will work in the future."

A

Anonymous

Oct 7

"Very helpful, and it has all information inside about how to be creative."

Rated this article:

MP

Mohit Pahuja

Jul 26

"This article broadened my knowledge about how to kill the useless time."